J.D. Robb discussion

As one of our goals for the monthly book discussions is to explore titles by other authors, we decided to include the runner up to the In Death book selection as an additional option.

Discussion topics will be posted after January 17, at which time it will become a spoiler zone.

Description
Anthony Rawlings had a plan—to teach Claire Nichols to behave.

Claire Nichols had a plan—to survive!

In an unfamiliar bedroom within a luxurious mansion, Claire Nichols wakes to memories of a brutal abduction. All of her recollections have one common denominator, the man she just met—Anthony Rawlings. Unbeknownst to Claire, Anthony has had her in his sights for a long time. Every action has consequences—and his actions resulted in their chance meeting.

Facing incomprehensible circumstances, Claire must learn to survive as she comes to terms with her new reality—every aspect of her livelihood is now dependent upon the tall, dark-haired, dark-eyed tycoon. Anthony may appear to the world as a prosperous, benevolent, kind businessman, but in reality Claire learns he is also a menacing, controlling captor with very strict rules: do as your told, public failure is not an option, and don’t divulge private information. Failure to follow these rules and more, are met with serious consequences.

In an effort to earn her freedom, Claire learns her lessons well and before long, she unknowingly captivates her captor. Anthony/ Tony reluctantly becomes enthralled with Claire’s beauty, resilience and determination. Their interaction instigates strong emotions, including—fear, anger, love, and lust—as their journey flows into uncharted waters of intrigue and passion.

From the opening criminal abduction, through the twists and turns, to the unlikely romantic thrills, the suspense climaxes as Aleatha Romig utilizes vivid detail, allowing this novel to unfold like a movie.

Can you put the pieces of the puzzle together? Claire Nichols abduction wasn’t a random act—did she learn her lessons well enough? Will these unlikely lovers remain true--or will she learn the truth before it’s too late?

Yay! I'm anxious to read this series. It's been on my tbr list awhile now! Really looking forward to the discussions on this one.

I'm reading it now.

I'm starting it later today.

Hoping to start it in a few days. Just waiting for my neighborhood library to get it from a library on the other side of the city, it usually doesn't take to long.

That's great!

The books in this series were, without a doubt, my favorite reads last year! Consequences will absolutely take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions with all of the twists & turns presented. I cannot wait to discuss this amazing book and, my love for Tony. Yes, I said love ;)

Uh, oh! I know enough right now to understand how controversial that statement is!!! Cannot wait:)

Thanks, Alyssa. I'm SO glad you'll be joining the discussion.

Ladies, I can't wait to finish this book and dive in to the discussion. I've heard about what a ride this one is and I thrive on those type books so I'm really excited. Glad you are all joining in!

Jonetta wrote: Thanks, Alyssa. I'm SO glad you'll be joining the discussion."

I am too!

I just finished and can say emphatically I not only don't love Tony...I'm despising him right now!!!

It's going to blow my plan but I have GOT to start the second book.

I would take a knife and gut him!! I'm not finished but am finding nothing redeeming about this man. At least in the Dark Duet books, I understood where Caleb was coming from and developed sympathy for him and grew to love him. Anthony is despicable. I don't have time for book 2 & 3 now but I know that's probably what I will end up doing.

my local library didn't have the book so i had to put it on hold and hopefully will have all 3 in this series within the week. i am looking forward to reading it as it sounds like a great book

I think you're smart to go ahead and get all 3. I know the first 2 end with cliffhangers. I'm just so upset with the "hero" (I use the word loosely) right now.

I've made it through the first 50 pages and an nit sure I can continue. seeing very little redeeming and no possible way to reconcile this start with anything positive.

It is a classical psychological study. The ending, while it made me angry, got me inspired. Beth, don't read this like a romance. Read it like a mystery or psychological thriller.

Nothing romantic about this first book...even though there may be the start of some real feelings between them. He has the personality of a psycho and I'm still trying to understand her not leaving during the times that (view spoiler)[she is alone in a big city. It's more than her being afraid that he will find her. (hide spoiler)]

I got stuck on that, too, Sandra. But, (view spoiler)[by that time, he had isolated and brutalized her so that she was psychologically damaged, believing him omnipotent and felt he could reach out from anywhere and destroy her, which he ultimately did. (hide spoiler)].

Words I came to hate in this story:


1. accident
2. Consequences
3. Compartmentalize
4. Appearance

Jonetta wrote: "I got stuck on that, too, Sandra. But, [spoilers removed]."

I know, J. I understood that in a way...but it's still hard for me to wrap my mind around. Ditto on the words that were way overused in this one!! I haven't finished Consequences yet. I didn't get to read much yesterday and today's not looking good either!

Sandra - *Star* wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "I got stuck on that, too, Sandra. But, [spoilers removed]."

I know, J. I understood that in a way...but it's still hard for me to wrap my mind around. Ditto on the words that wer..."

I kept thinking,"run."

Exactly. You're in a big city, millions of people, alone, RUN...Leave...Disappear...I mean it can't get much worse since he (view spoiler)[almost beat her to death anyway. That bothered me the most, I think. It wasn't part of BDSM where pain = pleasure for some people...he beat her in a rage (hide spoiler)]

Sandra - *Star* wrote: "Exactly. You're in a big city, millions of people, alone, RUN...Leave...Disappear...I mean it can't get much worse since he [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[It made me sick to my stomach. That's why I can't see me turning my opinion of Tony. I know it's been done before but I think that will be an uphill struggled for me. (hide spoiler)]

Definitely be an uphill struggle for me. In Dark Duet, (view spoiler)[ Caleb does despicable things...unforgivable things to Livvie BUT it isn't just simply out of rage. The reader always knows the "plan", why he believes he has to do it, and I developed real empathy for him and his horrific background. You quickly "feel" how conflicted his feelings become over what he must do and what he really wants to do. And you always pull for him to make the right decision. So much of what he does is out of his hands...not his decision. This monster in Consequences is obviously messed up but I can't get on board with a man just beating a woman out of rage. (hide spoiler)]

You learn later in the book (view spoiler)[what is driving Tony. It comes near the very end but I'd figured it out earlier. Still wasn't enough. (hide spoiler)]

I figured it would come out...but (view spoiler)[I'm not sure anything will justify him for me...not with the rage in which he beat a helpless woman...that wasn't sexual...wasn't bdsm...it was beyond reason (hide spoiler)]

I'm having trouble with what I will call trigger scenes. I struggle with Eve flashbacks but I don't have like, identify, or try to understand Eve's father - I'm free to hate his ever loving guts. I'll keep going but might bale on you if it reaches a point where I start flipping pages.

Beth, what do you mean by Eve flashbacks?

Maybe she means Claire?

I don't know...I haven't experienced what she's saying thus far. There are some short chapters that are flashbacks to Anthony & his father talking about the business decisions, etc.

I meant Eve's flashbacks to her childhood abuse in In Death books.

Do you mean to be posting these comments in Promises in Death?

No, I was just cross referencing, and clearly confusing everyone. that's what I get for posting on my phone while in the pickup line for school. :-)

I'm sorry...I'm just not getting your point.

Beth wrote: "I meant Eve's flashbacks to her childhood abuse in In Death books."

I thought you might mean that.

I didn't realize Consequences was this long.

I didn't either until I started. Actually, I started skimming at the 3/4 point because she was going into w-a-a-y to much detail describing settings, etc.

That's my feeling now. This book could be much shorter without losing the story. I find myself starting to skim too. I still don't like him.

Lol! Skimming won't change that:)

I'm getting that for sure...I know I'll eventually find out why he is like he is, but meantime, I wish more had been done to make me at least feel some empathy for him. I am normally sucked into feeling more for a character than I do him and I can't say she's won my sympathy either.

I'm not finding either of them very real, he is too over the top for any real hope of redemption in my eyes at this point. I'm fine hating his guts, but when I feel that way, I find her behavior unbelievable.

I'm hoping you can hang in there with Claire, as frustrating as she's been. We can discuss when you get to the end.

OMG...are you kidding me??? Wow - I didn't see that one coming! (do not read this spoiler if you haven't finished Consequences!!) (view spoiler)[And how will I ever have sympathy for him now knowing he's a psycho killer?!! Is there ever a hea in this series? (hide spoiler)] Well, now I guess I have to read book 2! I wasn't sure I would until the last few chapters.

I had the same thoughts, Sandra!!!!

I mean Really???! I get his past...still have no sympathy but I got that. And I think at least 100 pages of description could be cut without hurting the story/plot line at all. But the last 50/60 pages or so suddenly made me sit up and take notice! I had figured out who Anton was but I began to think there was a connection with her but I didn't see what happened coming!

I knew he had targeted her...figured that out early on. I even sort of figured out why when I found out what her grandfather was. But I never figured out the last part...NEVER saw that coming.

Me either! That's what has hooked me into the next book. I would have probably stopped here if not for that. I just don't see how this can ever have a HEA...at least, not in the normal sense.

I don't either. But then there's Alyssa's comment....

I can't wait to see him (view spoiler)[brought down. Did he really kill Claire's parents, her boyfriend Simon???? How do you get past all that? (hide spoiler)]

Exactly...it indicates he did. And also apparently Sophia's parents too.